Hi-Line Living: Volunteer of the Year

Mandy Hansen didn't have plans to work with Special Olympic athletes. Her volunteer position as the Local Program Coordinator of the Great Northern Area Special Olympics region started when she was asked to temporarily fill in for a friend who needed to take maternity leave.

About nine years later, on Nov. 4, Hansen won a Distinguished Service Award for her volunteer work with Special Olympic athletes.

"I'll be honest. I had no idea there's a volunteer of the year award," Hansen said. "I do it because I want to do it, not because I want to get recognition for it."

Allie Stockburger of Mo...